In my mind, conflict is a neutral, passive, balanced state.
Set your hand on your desk. This exemplifies conflict: the time and space where differences (your hand and the surface of your desk) meet.
Think of the horizon: the time and space where differences meet.
Night and day: the time and space where differences meet.
Conflict: Neutral. Balanced. Passive.
Now, what would happen if night refused to budge and give way to day?
The result is no longer passive: night is taking action.
When the proponents of differences take action, the result is a dispute.
Not necessarily positive or negative, constructive or destructive.
The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Instrument Diagram provides a model of the five basic approaches to conflict (see below; for a more readable version of this diagram, please see http://www.primarygoals.org/Thomas-Kilmann.htm with thanks to Ashley Guberman, Organizational Development Resources):
Avoid, Accommodate, Compromise, Compete, and Collaborate.
In the night/day example, consider which approach night is taking?
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